Social Indicators 101

August 29, 2012

Linda Prokopy Purdue University

Three Types of Indicators for Watershed Management

Environmental Nutrient loads, E. Coli

Administrative Bean counting! Number of plans written, number of newsletters distributed

Social

Conceptual Model

Social Environmental Administrative

Improvement & protection of water quality

social norms

Program Activities

knowledge

awareness

skills

attitudes

capacity

values

constraints

Use of water quality management Practices

Reduction in Stressors

Conceptual Model

Social Environmental Administrative

Improvement & protection of water quality

social norms

Program Activities

knowledge

awareness

skills

attitudes

capacity

values

constraints

Use of water quality management Practices

5 categories with goals & indicators Additional contextual data supplemental indicators Prokopy, Genskow et al. Journal of Extension, 2009

Reduction in Stressors

Social Indicators for Planning & Evaluation System (SIPES)

Critical areas & target audiences

Scale is project level

Consistent survey questions and data collection protocols Used across projects Compared over time Compared across projects

Before collecting social indicators:

1. What are the specific NPS problems this project is trying to address?

2. What are the critical areas that contribute to the problem?

3. Who are the target audience(s) for the NPS problem(s) your project will address?

4. What actions do you want the target audience(s) to take regarding the NPS problems?

SI Planning and Evaluation Process

Pilot Testing

Over 30 projects in six states

Rural/urban

Large/small

Experienced/non-

“319”/non-319

Lessons Learned - Positive

Groups used data to improve outreach activities

Benefits perceived as greater than costs Generally costs less than $10K per survey round

Groups can do this themselves if they follow guidance but can also contract the work out

SIDMA (on line tool) very helpful and simplifies process

Data can be used to compare projects

Lessons Learned - Challenges

Timing is important Baseline data needs to be collected after four questions

can be answered Second round data (for evaluation) needs to be

collected after sufficient outreach has occurred

There are critical steps that need followed that groups need to do themselves. Guidance is provided but not always read/followed

Biophysical scientists struggle interpreting and using social data – need guidance

Download at: www.iwr.msu.edu/sidma

Highlights • Checklists for all 7 steps • How to use SIDMA • Choosing a survey

method • Selecting sample size • Administering a survey • Interpreting data • Designing outreach

programs • Sample surveys and

cover letters

Acknowledgements USEPA Region 5 NPS Program

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Great Lakes Regional Water Program

Land Grant Universities in USEPA Region 5

Indiana NRCS

Ken Genskow, Univ of Wisconsin Linda Prokopy, Purdue Univ Jeremiah Asher, Michigan State Adam Baumgart-Getz, Purdue Joe Bonnell, Ohio State Univ Shorna Broussard, Cornell Univ Cyd Curtis, USEPA Karlyn Eckman, Univ of Minnesota Kristin Floress, UW-Stevens Point Karyn McDermaid, Univ of Illinois Alicia Molloy, Purdue Glenn O’Neil, Michigan State Rebecca Power, UW-Extension David White, Univ of Illinois Danielle Wood, Univ of Wisconsin